AirFluSal

What is AirFluSal?

AirFluSal is a preventative asthma inhaler, containing two active ingredients: a long-acting bronchodilator called salmeterol relaxes your airways, and a corticosteroid called fluticasone propionate helps reduce inflammation in your lungs. The two ingredients work together to relieve your day-to-day symptoms, and reduce your risk of suffering an asthma attack.

How does AirFluSal work?

When you breathe in a dose of AirFluSal, its two active ingredients get to work to help reduce your asthma symptoms. The bronchodilator salmeterol widens your airways, allowing you to breathe more easily. Additionally, this makes the second active ingredient, the corticosteroid fluticasone propionate, more effective.^[1] Fluticasone propionate targets and lowers your body’s production of chemicals that cause inflammation, reducing swelling in your lungs. ^[2]

In combination, these treatments ease your breathing and reduce swelling and irritation. Salmeterol provides ongoing relief from the symptoms of asthma, while fluticasone works on preventing them in the long-term.

What doses does AirFluSal come in?

AirFluSal comes in different strengths and devices:

• AirFluSal MDI (pressurised inhaler): This comes in two strengths, 25/125 mcg and 25/250 mcg (salmeterol/fluticasone propionate).
• AirFluSal Forspiro (powder inhaler): This is available in a 50/500 mcg strength for more severe asthma.

The typical dose for AirFluSal MDI is two puffs twice a day (e.g., two in the morning and two in the evening). For AirFluSal Forspiro, the dose is one inhalation twice a day.

AirFluSal is not available in doses lower than 25mcg of salmeterol and 125mcg of fluticasone propionate. You should always take the lowest dose of corticosteroids that keeps your asthma symptoms under control, and move down to a lower dose when appropriate.^[3] Our clinicians will keep an eye on your treatment, and advise you on which inhaler and dose is right for you – just fill out a consultation to get started.

How to Use AirFluSal

AirFluSal comes in two different inhalers, and how you take it will depend on which one you’re using.

How to take AirFluSal MDI 25mcg/125mcg and 25mcg/250mcg

Before using your AirFluSal inhaler for the first time, you should make sure it is working correctly.

• Remove the mouthpiece and shake the inhaler well before releasing four puffs into the air.
• Make sure to shake the inhaler well between each puff. If it has been more than a week since you last used your inhaler, remove the mouthpiece, shake well, and release two puffs into the air. This makes sure the medicine is mixed evenly and being delivered from the inhaler correctly.
• Never put the metal canister in water.

To take AirFluSal MDI:

• Squeeze the sides of the mouthpiece cover to remove it from the inhaler.
• Check there are no loose objects in or on the inhaler or mouthpiece.
• Shake the inhaler well to mix up the contents and remove any objects.
• Sit or stand upright and hold the inhaler vertically between your finger and thumb, with your thumb under the mouthpiece.
• Breathe out as far as you comfortably can, then put the mouthpiece into your mouth.
• Start and continue breathing in deeply for as long as is comfortable.
• Put the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth, and close your lips around it without biting.
• Breathe in slowly, and just after you do, press down on the top of the inhaler.
• Hold your breath and remove the inhaler from your mouth. Continue holding your breath for as long as is comfortable.
• For a second dose, keep your inhaler upright and wait around 30 seconds. Then, repeat from step 3.

How to take AirFluSal Forspiro 50mcg/500mcg

AirFluSal Forspiro, the largest dose of AirFluSal, comes in an inhaler that works a little differently. It contains a coiled foil strip that holds your medicine, and used sections of strip must be removed in between doses.

Before using your inhaler, you should check the side chamber for used foil strips. There should never be more than two sections of foil strip in the chamber, or the inhaler could jam. If there’s a strip in the chamber, open the transparent door and carefully tear it away using the teeth provided. Make sure not to pull or tug at the strip.

To take AirFluSal Forspiro:

• Open the protective cap to find your inhaler’s mouthpiece. Here you can check the dose counter to see how much is left in your inhaler.
• Lift up the edge of the white lever on the side of the mouthpiece, making sure the side chamber is closed. To avoid wasting doses, you should only push this white lever when you’re ready to use your inhaler.
• Move the white lever as far as it will go until it clicks. This loads a dose into position, ready to inhale. Then, close the white lever until it clicks back into its original position.
• Breathe out as far as is comfortable, away from the inhaler’s mouthpiece.
• With the inhaler held horizontally, the protective cap facing downwards, close your lips around the mouthpiece.
• Take a deep, steady breath through the inhaler.
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for five to ten seconds. Then, slowly breathe out (away from the mouthpiece).
• Close the protective cap over the mouthpiece, and rinse your mouth out with water. This can help stop any fungal infections and hoarseness you may experience.

How long does it take for AirFluSal to work?

The different active ingredients in your AirFluSal inhaler will provide you with relief in the short and long-term, however you will still need to keep a reliever inhaler to hand in case you get sudden asthma symptoms. Salmeterol will get to work straight away to relax and widen your airways; you’ll usually feel its effects within 10-20 minutes.^[4] This gives you relief for up to 12 hours. But, again, if you’re short of breath in the moment, you’ll still need to take your fast-acting reliever inhaler.

Meanwhile, fluticasone will start to reduce the inflammation in your lungs. It’ll usually take between three and seven days for you to notice the benefits.^[5] You should find yourself wheezing and short of breath less often. If your shortness of breath and wheezing does not improve after a week of use, you should contact your doctor.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking AirFluSal?

You should only ever take your treatment as prescribed by your clinician. If you miss a dose, take your AirFluSal as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and wait for your next one. You shouldn’t take a double dose to make up for missed doses, as this can increase the risk of side effects.

Accidentally taking too much AirFluSal at once is unlikely to be serious, especially if it’s a one-off. If you’re concerned, speak to your doctor or seek medical attention.